[Bible] Davidis Psalmi, Paris, 1576, contemporary French polychrome and inlaid binding

BIBLE. OLD TESTAMENT. PSALMS. Davidis Psalmi, argumentis, orationibus, et annotationibus majore multò, quam antea, et perspicuitate, et brevitate illustrati. Studio, & diligentia. M.P. Viel professione teologi Paris. Psalmis accesserunt Cantica, & Hymni, & Prosae, fere omnes, quibus catholica consuevit uti Ecclesia. Paris: Claude Bruneval for Nicolas Chesneau, 1576 (1575)

A pocket edition of the Psalms in a binding with centre and cornerpieces in the style of the Ève bindery, though the dotted ground and painted interlacing are more unusual.

16mo (119 x 74 mm). Italic type, 28 lines plus headline. Collation: a⁸ e⁸ A-Z⁸ 2A-2X⁸: 368 leaves. Title-page in red and black with woodcut device, headlines, initials, and chapter headings printed in red, ruled in red, single page manuscript index of "Vespera Dierum" on recto of final leaf in the hand of an unidentified early owner. (Some spotting and soiling).

Binding: Contemporary French polychrome and inlaid binding (123 x 80 mm), russet morocco with inlays of citron morocco, outer frame painted black with gilt foliage cornerpieces, inner frames of black outlined by gilt fillets, central inlay of citron morocco comprising a circle with a gilt laurel wreath and 2 symmetrical flanking compartments stippled with gilt dots, flat spine with azured quadrilobes in compartments, gilt edges. (Ends of spine repaired.)

Provenance: Edmé-Pierre Hermitte (1904-1983), bookplate, his sale, Poillotte, Roy, Ph. Sadde & Jacqueline Vidal-Mégret, Vente aux enchères publiques de la Bibliothèque de M. P.E. Hermitte, Châtillon sur Seine, 12 November 1983 — Librairie Patrick et Elisabeth Sourget, Catalogue 2: Deux cents livres précieux de 1467 à 1959 (Chartres 1985), item 48. Acquisition: Purchased in 1990 from Librairie Patrick et Elisabeth Sourget, Chartres. References: Darlow & Moule 6164; USTC 162075